A friend of mine once told me this and I thought that he was exactly right. He said,

If you decide that you want to try to jump the grand canyon in a pinto, a comrade or buddy will try to talk you out of it, then stop you even if they have to knock you out to do it. A real friend will try to talk you out of it, but if that fails he'll make sure that the pinto has enough gas.

a friend is someone that is honest to you during good and bad times, have integrity with whatever he/she says, care and sensitive with your feelings, do not get emotional at little things but appreciate the little moments with you. love you not just of your personalities not your character but because of mutual understanding and appreciation. while the most important, every time spent together is not for granted be it good or bad experiences. hoping to compromise oneself yet understanding another intensions not just actions. fast to listen and slow to speak with one another. haha it sounds like finding a spouse but friendship is built and not just happened because of fate.